Agony & Ivy

Starting pitching isn't the only thing for which Lou Piniella is using a rotation. Kosuke Fukudomewill bat leadoff Sunday against Houston right-hander Brett Myers (3-3, 3.04 ERA) - the third different leadoff hitter in as many games for the Cubs.

Ryan Theriot, who batted out of the leadoff spot Saturday, is 17-for-94 (.181) in his 23 games as a second baseman this season. He is hitting .289 with a .319 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot, and .285/.305 against righties. Theriot will not be in the starting lineup and will be replaced by Mike Fontenot at second base. Fontenot is hitting .310 (.308 against right-handed pitching).

It's a prudent move by Uncle Lou to make sure that Fontenot, who's getting his third start in the last six games, gets regular playing time as long as he continues to hit.

Marlon Byrd had two hits, including an RBI double, out of the leadoff spot on Friday. But Byrd, who is batting cleanup for the second straight game Sunday, is right where he belongs in the No. 4 spot simply for the fact that he prevents the underachieving Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez from hitting back-to-back.